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Thank you all for your honest opinions on my last post. I liked both H&M dresses but wasn't in love with either. Your comments confirmed the features that were bugging me, and I didn't want to keep something that wasn't perfect! I ended up parting with the emerald (already have otheritems in that exact color), and taking matters into my own hands with the mint:

Drawing a pattern based on my bust and shoulder measurements:

Chop chop!

"Click to Read More" to see how this turned out!

Voila! Strange kimono/dolman sleeve turned classic sleeve. I am now completely in love with this dress.

Creating a "pattern" for the armholes and sleeves was unfortunately not easy. It took about 3 attempts to get right (with numerous photos from the side and back to identify fit issues). The ideal way to make good patterns is to cut apart a top that already fits well and to trace the pieces, but who has nice-fitting tops just lying around for dissecting?

For anyone who is interested in making this dress sleeveless, this is how it looked before I attached the sleeves. I thought it looked nice sleeveless, but because the dress is so slim and almost rectangular, I like the balance that sleeves add. With sleeves, I can also wear this dress to work and not worry about an additional layer.

I also wanted to share a great H&M find that Sydney tweeted about. These chiffon-like blouses are nice and drapey, with little gold button accents. They're great for spring/summer, and the best part is - they're just $9.95. The orange looks great on Syd, but a sz 2 was too big for me in the shoulders and sleeves. I still wanted to share with you guys, because these are an awesome dupe for the Ann Taylor Cargo Blouse at over 90% less!
Lastly, the author of PAB expressed interest in writing some guest posts during my blogging slowdown. If you have any questions for him or topics on which you'd be interested in hearing a male perspective, please leave us a comment below!

93 comments:

The dress looks so much better now, amazing what a difference that a proper fit makes!

For future PAB posts, I would be interested in reading more styling tips for men and good sale deals. :) There's only so many plaid BR/JCrew/Gap shirts that I can buy for my husband. Since I'm the one styling his outfits, I'd like some cost-effective tips!

Ideas for PAB: How to "kill time"/entertain yourself during early morning Target runs, long H&M fitting rooms, etc.;Crock Pot recipes for Winter and Spring; or tips on how to scout good photo locations?

I liked the spirit of the first post even if it was for April Fools Day! Can't wait! Thanks, Nick.

You did such a great DIY job on this dress--what a difference a proper sleeve makes! It looks so classic and lovely on you. I had been thinking you should keep the emerald dress, but this one is definitely my favorite now. I am feeling inspired; I really need to break out my sewing machine and start doing some of my own alterations here soon.

Your PAB is so adorable, too, for wanting to help you...or we could also have a closet exhibitionist at hand! Look forward to anything he wants to write about, but if he wants some suggestions:

1) his favorite looks on you, and if he can be diplomatic, his least favorite looks2) what trends/styles you have never tried before that he would want you to try3) his top Spring/Summer 2012 picks (for the general population and also specifically for you)4) and since Fashion Week is going on, his top Fall/Winter 2012 picks (for the general population and also specifically for you)

Wow you did such an amazing job! Love it , you make it all seem so easy :) I love the existing posts that PAB did, maybe he can share with us the women's fashions that he loves vs. hates? I want to hear his take on harem pants and rompers!

Omg you did such an incredible job on the sleeves...what a transformation! Looks so much better now! Also, all of my local H&M stores are completely out of the small sizes of that blouse...I really liked it too!

Wow. I do like the altered version. It fits you much better and I think the shoulder to arm line is beautiful. Amazing work. (I would re-position my response to your earlier post: pick whichever and alter!)

What a great transformation. Go you! love the DIY. It's true...that dolman-ish thing was not doing you favors. But the color was too divine to let go. So happy you worked your magic on this dress because it's definitely worth it. Very 50s chic :) and thank you for the H&M coupon you linked the other day. got me some leggings that I'd been eyeing. Ugh...I might have to go back and get that cream-colored blouse!

Wow, great job!! I'm glad you kept the sleeves. It looks great sleeveless but it also looks more average that way. The sleeves are what give it character. :)

As for PAB posts, I'd love to hear about any photography tips! I cannot for the life of me get a good photo straight out of the camera. My whites are either blue or yellow and then I have to color-correct.

I'll echo the others with a "wow!" on the sleeves. For PAG post I did Love the humor of his previous posts; more please. (I like the previous poster's suggestion about how to spend time while waiting on a shop-a-holic)Yet I'd also like some men's clothing suggestions.My hubby lives in jeans & then has suits for special occasions. Nothing in between. I'd love a list of men's basics as well. Dressy/casual would be great.Maybe some reviews of versatile items for regular guys (not the fashionista-men) lolShy

I am seriously impressed with your DIY. The dress is now perfect! I absolutely love it. Are you thinking of hemming up the dress to above-knee or keeping the length as is? I forgot to mention on Twitter that the orange blouse might be big for you since a size 2 fits me perfectly. As for PAB posts, I would be interested in photography tips and recipes =)

any tips on how to alter sleeves of Denim jackets!! I always get ones that fit well on shoulder n bust...but has long sleeves...that is even difficult to fold due to the nature of thick denim. I really hope you could answer me someday...

Denim alterations are really tough when the material is thick. I've broken several needles before on my sewing machine due to the thickness. There are some YouTube videos on altering/hemming denim, so check those out. I would personally take it to a tailor to do, especially if you want to maintain the original hem on the sleeves to keep the rugged/washed look.

PAB guest blogs would be great! My boyfriend never shops for himself, so I always go out and purchase things for him. I'm getting a bit tired of the JCrew sweaters and button-downs. Or, some fresh suit/tie/shirt combos would be great!

Great job with DIY alteration Jean! It's a great color on you so I can't wait to see you style it!

Looking forward to the PAB posts! I'd love his behind-the-lens perspective. :) Or how about, when bloggers meet up and PAB 'tags' along. "my life as an assistant to a style blogger" (shopping, blogging, taking pictures, web support etc..)

Okay, now I think the dress is perfect! Lol at "strange kimono/dolman sleeves" hahaha... I also like it sleeveless, so Posh! I want to try some DIY transformations with some old clothes now! Also, I noticed in your previous post (one of the first pics with the white/black H&M skirt) and in this one: You're arms are so toned! ^_^

It looks perfect! I need to take sewing classes ASAP. You're eye for what "can be" is really developed. I normally would not have picked it because I wouldn't have been able to see the potential. I'd love to see it styled for work. I have a tough time with dresses at work, esp with accessories.

PAG is hilarious and would be a welcomed guest blogger! In addition to the things mentioned above, perhaps he can give some ideas on quick, stylish "recipe outfits" that can be used when we are running late.

I made your Oreo truffles for my son's Harry Potter Party (the golden snitch they became). They are fantastic! They taste much better than my super labor intensive cake balls. The trick with the fork/spoon worked great.

wow! i really need to brush up on my sewing. i used to do it all myself, but i got soo lazy. you`re definitely inspiring me to start up again. i actually prefer the dress sleeveless on you! it makes your arms look super toned.

obsessed too. can you do a pretty lookbook photoshoot so i can pin this? hm...did u ever put the price for this dress? i know it's a TREND line so I wouldn't be able to get it, unless I felt like driving over an hour, but just curious to know how much they're charging.

Cant wait for PAB posts on Mens professional wardrobe! Picking the right shoes, proper fit for suit pants/jacket, good deals...but of course will miss you Jean! Just got a bit excited to share this blog with my man. Goodluck on the CFA!

I actually just bought those two blouse today. I wasn't sure what color to get but since it's only $9.95 I decided to get both since I could wear it to work or for the weekend if I decide to dress up for a dinner or something. Love it.

Wow, I am really impressed by your DIY alterations. I really need to learn how to sew. But how does one start with this task? lol

But on a dress like this, would you ever DIY dissect the dress at the waist line and then reattach the two pieces with the chest portion shorter? I feel like I've gotten dresses that fits, but they fit my body different than how the designer envisioned - like an empire waist dropping lower and changing the shape of the dress. I'm not sure if that would look better or worse, but I am curious how it would look in comparison.

If the waistline were too low, I think the best approach with something like this dress would be to take it in along the shoulder line. That way you don't tamper with the waist line and the zipper. I've done that with blouses in the past. When I tried on this dress and pinched the shoulder up 1 inch, I felt the waist line was then too high. I wonder if the shoulder line alteration would work for your empire style dresses that are too low.

Omg the dress looks wonderful now. my heart skipped a beat when i saw the chopped up pieces in the preview. haha but it turned out very nicely after your diy alterations. and I am so glad you didn't keep it sleeveless too :)) Thumbs upp!